Archive for the ‘Distro’ Category

We’ve got three awesome new European underground reissues from Shadoks Music available for preorder this week!

This is Shadoks Music’s third release from the great Finnish psych band, Charlies. Recorded in ’69-’70 in the drunk tank of the local jail (one of the member’s fathers was a police officer, so they were granted access), this album finally achieves the heavy underground quality that the band felt their previous releases lacked.

Catching up with the love and peace sentiments of the rest of the Western world, Austrian band Nostradamus formed in Vienna in the late 60s. With influences such as The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream, and King Crimson and the addition of a violinist, this album is one of the best and most unique Austrian releases of the time.

Also influenced by powerful trios like Cream and The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Young Flowers formed in Copenhagen in 1967. Progressive and with a uniquely Scandinavian sound, Young Flowers released a second album in 1960, ‘No. 2′, which has since become one of the most important and sought after Danish albums. Full of fuzz guitar, great vocals and an underground vibe, Shadok’s reissue comes as the original did with a silver cover. Plus this version comes with a bonus poster. Oh and by the way, the band has two upcoming shows in Denmark!

We’re delighted to present a fresh, bright label from London for whom we’ve just begun distributing. Futurismo‘s manifesto states:

We believe that neither pop nor art should be mutually exclusive, that the past and the future can synchronize in the moment, just as creativity, danger and fun can co-exist on the same plane. Life should be about fun after all. Serious fun.

Since it’s start in November of 2014, the label has put out several releases revolving around the genres of new wave, post-punk, no wave, avant garde pop, and synth punk. And with an eye to not only music, but art and fashion as well, Futurismo is a tastemaker to watch.

Delaney Jae Williams, the label’s director says:

My aim is to generally release objects by artists that need reappraisal or reinstating in the consciousness, using high-end production and forward thinking, innovative design. My intention is to give more attention to lesser known records than major labels give to revered recordings. My main interests are unreleased recordings and redux versions of existing records that include new artwork and extras.

We’ve got three great new releases from Futurismo available for preorder, each with multiple color variants:

You’re eating your morning cereal when you realize that from behind the cereal box you’re being watched. Blank, glowing eyes stare out of an iron visage. You raise your head, milk dripping from the forgotten spoon in your hand, and see that this iron man is… smiling.

Who left the Iron Giant action figure in the kitchen??

You’re part of an elite police squad, standing in the stairwell of a tenement building in Indonesia in the middle of a violent raid, when a vicious crime boss, whose headquarters is on the upper floors, shuts off all the lights. In the pitch black darkness, he announces over the PA system that the first tenants to kill the police in the stairwell will be granted permanent free residency. All is silent.

You’re back in your living room. Time to switch to the b-side of The Raid soundtrack.

These are the kind of super badass, nerd-your-heart-out, kid-in-a-candy-shop experiences you can fill your every day life with thanks to Mondo, the newest addition to the Light In The Attic distribution family.

An extremely established vinyl movie soundtrack, screen printed poster, VHS re-issue, toy and apparel label from Austin, Mondo has recently joined forces with beloved UK horror soundtrack label Death Waltz Recording Co. The two labels remain autonomous, but Death Waltz now operates under the Mondo banner. Together they are killing the soundtrack game. Their first two drool-worthy joint releases were the original Indonesian score to action film The Raid and a 7” of Frankie Vinci’s songs from the slasher film Sleepaway Camp.

‘Angela’s Theme’ and other songs by Frankie Vinci from Sleepaway Camp

On their site, Mondo says, “It’s our passion to introduce fellow enthusiasts to an eclectic mix of products and experiences from the coolest properties, brands and creators. We bring like-minded people together to celebrate, discuss and discover art and music curated just for them. Mondo fans aren’t interested in the obvious, they want to be impressed – it’s our job to make that happen.”

Happy holidays, you shopaholic freakz! That’s right – here at Club LITA, we remember the REAL reason for the season. We’re not necessarily saying you WON’T catch us in the street blowing a briefcase of Benjamins – but we’ll be getting twiiiissted on the way! So grab a flask, grab a triple peppermint mocha, grab your unspeakables, and get out there! Do your part to keep this surreal party barge we call the American economy jamming! In fact, why not start right now with these little stagflation squashers?!

Home for the holidays? Grip this pair before you sneak down to your parent’s basement, light the yuletide spliff, and hide from the world. J. Rider is the follow-up to the phenomenal Anonymous record (reissued last year), and the same band in all but name. All the ingredients that made that record such a heavy burn remain in place here – perfect harmonies, sophisticated arrangements, and a dare-we-say, more musky delivery. McKay’s “Into You” emerged from the same ’76/’77 Indiana corridor that birthed the Anonymous lineage of bands, and reps the looser, earthier side of the ’70′s West Coast sound as interpreted by landlocked heshers. One to keep around for the come down.

Ray “McKay” Pierle and his musically-adept brothers and friends partied, jammed and partied some more on Indy’s south side throughout the 70’s. This 300-press 1978 album was given to friends and family and consigned in nearby record shoppes at the time. And only a mere 15 years had to pass before the collecting world discovered the highly-personal songwriting, tight playing, and not-so-well-hidden West-Coast stylistic touches. Here’s a new all analogue, master tape edition for a new generation to savor.

Talk about flax almond butter and jelly! Who better to curate a guided tour through the delerium-inducing land of R. Stevie Moore than the current king of irreverent, screwball pop, Ariel Pink. Cracking into Moore’s intimidatingly vast and convoluted catalog can be a foreboding errand, making this collection a welcome contribution for anyone wanting to begin unravelling R. Stevie. Even non-newbs may need to cop this, since most of these tracks have never been collected OR on vinyl before. Flex your head!

Don’t do it! Don’t even try! Because whatever it is you THINK you expect, this is definitely NOT IT. Even after hearing this, it’s hard to say what we heard. Alternately compared to Ariel Pink, Sly Stone, and 10CC, these cues only hint at the true oddball singularity of Hartley C. White. At as much of a loss as anyone, Hartley coined his style “Whopazootic”, or “a non-classical music utilizing a broken rhythm”. What if Captain Beefheart was black and started his career in the ’80′s? Discuss. Or buy this record!

Death Waltz Recording Co. may be home to some of the scariest music around, but it doesn’t mean that they don’t get into the Christmas spirit now and again. In that tradition, here’s their idea of Xmas cheer as they present the release of the classic 1980 yuletide slasher movie CHRISTMAS EVIL and SILENT NIGHT DEADLY NIGHT.

The music of CHRISTMAS EVIL is composed by the trio of Don Christenson, Joel Harris, and Julia Heywood, who created a score both menacing and upbeat, with tunes in the Christmas tradition. Like many horror soundtracks of the era, synthesisers dominate, with melodies similar to John Carpenter’s legendary HALLOWEEN, only in a happier and more deranged fashion. Wild and swirling synths acts as a window into the mind of Harry and what seems to be a nervous breakdown, and a menacing mix of foreboding notes and seasonal bells, all leading up to the ending that’s frankly crackers. This holiday season, give your loved ones CHRISTMAS EVIL. Limited to 400 copies on Satin Pearl White vinyl. Pre-order now!

Perry Botkin’s jolly old score to the controversial 1984 slasher SILENT NIGHT DEADLY NIGHT is no slouch in the recording world. His score is both chaotic and tragic; crashing sounds of distorted percussion are punctuated by both synth and acoustic piano, reflecting the sheer damage that has been done to Billy’s mind. The end result is both emotional and terrifying, even more so with the selection of original Christmas songs as composed by Morgan Ames that are spread amongst the film’s soundtrack. But a word of caution: If you don’t have SILENT NIGHT DEADLY NIGHT on the turntable this Christmas we’ll have to tell Billy that you’ve been… naughty. Consider yourselves warned. Only 500 copies available. Disc 1 comes pressed on transparent green vinyl and disc 2 is pressed on transparent red wax. Pre-order now!

WHASSUP YOU CRAZEE GHOULS?! In case you’ve been out in the shed working on your sexy Headless Horseman and Ichabod Crane couples costume – let us remind you of the real spirit of Halloween – buying spooky records! So put down the pumpkin-flavored thong for a second, and try these on for size!

CAN I GET A DUUUUUUUUHH??!?!! I mean, it’s the new jam on Waxwork so you know this is 200% over-the-top deluxe pimp-style, right?! People call this a modern Halloween classic – but what do they know? All we know is the bonus LP is an entire disc of spooky Halloween sound effects, sourced from the film. That, and the girl from True Blood was in this, so listen for that trademark “surprised inhale”.

Many moons and sixpence ago we stocked T&J’s most excellent No Rest For The Wicked. Sadly, like a SPECTRE, it vanished as fast as it appeared – back, one can only assume, into the undead shredder’s grave depicted on the cover (Google it). FRET not (get it) ye depraved slaves to the six-string battle-axe! Erupts!, um…ERUPTS out of the foul earth to give you perverted metal maniacs another shot at life – after death, that is! Don’t think – just buy this now or forever REST IN PEEEAACCE.

Finally got enough of these to list! Among the deluge of Morricone soundtracks flooding LITA HQ in recent months, this is by far one of our faves. Like a cat, this one is slinky and a little devious. By turns, one of the grooving-est and creepiest works in the maestro’s catalog – and a perfect companion to this year’s pumpkin smashing duties.

One of the most influential films in the spaghetti western genre, A Fistful of Dollars (1964) was the breakout film for director Sergio Leone and catapulted Clint Eastwood to fame in Italy. With the unmistakable whistle of Alessandro Alessandroni over ominous Spanish guitar, Morricone crystallizes the ever-cool spaghetti western sound and transforms the visuals of the prairie into music.

We’ve got two new titles from Machu Picchu / M’Lady’s. Hot on the heels of the ecstatically received reissue of ANONYMOUS’ classic album Inside the Shadow, Machu Picchu Ltd. has just announced the reissue of their elusive and legendary follow-up: No Longer Anonymous. After the 1976 release of Inside the Shadow, the group decided to change their name to JRIDER (after the second cut on the Anonymous LP) and pursued a similar rich vein of impeccable songwriting, this time adding more hard rock to the mix, resulting in a fantastic sounding album that sadly went unreleased at the time. This record is highly recommended for everyone who enjoyed Inside the Shadow, and it also happens to come with an entire unreleased album of songs recorded by the group’s visionary songwriter Ron Matelic!

Next up is THE CONTENTS ARE’s debut album, originally issued in 1967 in an edition of just 100 copies. This record, more rumored than heard, lives at a wild nexus in American culture, simultaneously expansive and reflective, searching for answers in society through music and art. The German label Shadoks first reissued this legendary set almost ten years ago, but Machu Picchu brings you a new deluxe edition of Through You, this time with the very special addition of the band’s two non-album 45s. Let this record turn you on to new horizons.